Lubricating attachment for axles and shafts.



J.ADEN. LUBRIGATING ATTACHMENT FOR AXLES AND SHAFTS.

APPLICATION PI LED MAY 12, 1911.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH cc INUTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATEN GFFIG.

JOSEPH ADEN, OF DANVILLE, VIRGINIA.

LUBRICATING ATTACHMENT FOR AXLES AND SHAFTS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnri-r ADEN, citizen of the United States, residing at Danville, in the county of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricating Attachments for Axles and Shafts, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements upon the axle lubricator shown in Patent No. 924,214, granted to me June 8, 1909, and has for its object the provision of a simple and inexpensive construction whereby the durability and efiiciency of the lubricator will be increased and the manipulation of the same facilitated.

The invention consists of certain constructions, arrangements and combinations of the parts that I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan view of my improved lubricator showing it applied to the axle: Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device detached.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and inclicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the main portion of a vehicle axle, 2 the spindle thereof, and 3 the butt collar separating the spindle from the main portion of the axle.

In carrying out my invention, I form a longitudinal groove 4 in the spindle 2, said groove extending through the butt collar 3 and to a predetermined distance in the upper surface of the main portion 1 of the axle, as clearly illustrated in the drawing. The lubricating device itself is in the form of a block or casting 5 which is formed with two distinct bottom openings designated 6 and 7, respectively, said openings being separated by a transverse web or wall 8. The opening 6 constitutes an oil chamber or channel and communicates, as shown, with the inner end of the groove 4, said opening being so formed that it will properly direct a cleaning wire or the like down into the groove 4, and also serve to direct the spout Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 12, 1911.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912.

Serial No. 626,780.

of an oil can down to the groove, by the insertion of the wire or spout into the upwardly facing mouth 9 of said opening or chamber. The block 5 is formed at one end with a tongue 10 which extends outwardly and upwardly, as shown, and which is designed to close the peripheral portion of the groove, where it extends through the butt -collar 3. The device is secured in position by means of ordinary clips, the end of the wood bed of the axle fitting into the inner end of the opening 7, as shown.

11 designates a lid or closure for the mouth 9, whereby the groove 4 may be maintained practically dust proof. This lid is preferably lined with rubber or leather so as to produce a properly sealed joint when the lid is in closed position, and the lid is mounted to swing upon a pivot stud or post 12 which is mounted in an aperture 18 formed in the block 5 at the inner end of the web 8 and communicating with the outer end of the opening 7. The post 12 is provided with a preferably coiled spring 14 which bears at one end against a washer 15 carried by the post and at its other end against the inner wall of the opening 7, whereby the post is held under tension so as to effectually hold the lid against accidental movement. The pivot post 12 is formed at its outer end with a knob or' finger piece 12, whereby the lid or closure 11 may be easily turned to one side to ex pose the mouth 9 by grasping the knob and pulling slightly upwardly thereon so as to elevate the closure just above the rim of the opening in which it fits, a slight turn being imparted to the knob or finger piece so as to swing the closure around. In the movement of closing the lid, the knob or finger piece is turned in the proper direction and the compressed spring 14 will act to draw the lid down into the mouth 9 as soon as the lid comes into registry therewith.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawing, the operation of my improved axle lubricator will be apparent. In the practical use of the device, after the axle has been provided with the groove 4, the block is laid on the axle and preferably coated with white lead and japanned sufficiently to make the joint air proof, being clipped to the axle, as shown, and the inner end of the block receiving the wood end of the axle, while the outer end or tongue 10 extends into the butt collar 3. It will be apparent that by swinging the lid 11 to one side or the other, an oil can may be applied to the block to effectually supply the groove with oil and thereby lubricate the wheel; or whenever it is desiredor necessary to clean the groove, a wire or similar cleaning rod will be properly directed into the groove by the opening 6, when the tool is inserted in the upwardly facing mouth 9. It will he of course noted that the device is composed of comparatively few and simple parts that may be cheaply manufactured and readily assembled and easily applied to an axle.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is A lubricating attachment for axles and shafts consisting of a block adapted to be secured upon the axle and having a depending wall intermediate its ends whereby the block is provided. with two separate and distinct openings in the bottom thereof extending to the opposite ends of the same, one of said, openings having an upwardly facing mouth and the other openingbeing closed at its top by the body of the block, the block having an aperture formed through the top portion of its body communicating with an opening in the bottom of the block, and a forwardly projecting tongue being provided at the forward end of the block, a. pivot post fitted in the aperture in the top of the block and extending into the communicating opening in the bottom thereof, a washer on the lower end of said post, a spring coiled around the post between said washer and the top of the block, and a lid fitted on said post below the upper end thereof and adapted to fit in the mouth of the for ward opening in the block flush with the upper surface of the block as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH ADEN. It. SJ

Witnesses O. L. Ronnie-in, C. G. HoLLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

